I like the look of this series. I think Memphis can give them a tough game. I like the way Memphis matches up with them. Two teams with a similar focus on team basketball. Memphis actually do a better job of playing together for my money. Just have less talent. Pau Gasol and Aldridge vs Marc Gasol and Z-Bo. Love the big man matchups. Memphis have a good advantage at PG with Conley. The difference between Kawhi and Grizzlies wings should send the series San Antonio's way but the Grizzlies do have good wing defenders to throw at Kawhi.

I think it'll go 6 or 7 games for the Spurs

Oklahoma City vs Houston

Love this series because of Westbrook vs Harden. The two most ball-dominant stars in the league. The two best solo-ists in the league. Going head to head.

Both teams have average teams outside of their stars. Houston with offensive talent. OKC with defensive talent. The big difference is on the bench. D'Antoni is a huge advantage over Donovan and I expect that to be the difference in the series.

Houston in 6 or 7 games.

Golden State vs Portland

Boring series. Golden State should sweep. Maybe Portland can steal a game if they get hot from 3 or Nurkic has a monster effort. I expect Nurkic to get a major payday after how well he performs in the playoffs against GSW.

LA Clippers vs Utah Jazz

I think these are the two most talented teams in the West outside of Golden State.

The Clippers had a good start to the season but then injuries hit and I don't think they have ever recovered from that. Given that, I am unsure how much of a challenge they end up being this postseason. I hope they can get their act together because they are more talented than SAS and HOU.

Utah have underachieved all year long and I expect them to continue to do so in the playoffs. They just haven't found the right balance between their players. Don't maximize their talent. I am not optimistic about their chances. I'd like to see them change their coach in the off-season.

Boston has a major advantage talent wise over the Bulls. That Chicago team simply does not fit well together and the Celtics should make short work of them. The Bulls main hope of pulling off a surprise display is Mirotic. He is the key to their offense (after Butler).

Boston in 5.

Cleveland vs Indiana

Another huge mismatch in talent. The Cavs have it. The Pacers do not. Cleveland in 4.

Washington vs Atlanta

Two boring teams which nobody really cares about. Not a believer in either team. I'll go with Washington in 6 because they have two creators offensively out on the perimeter and Atlanta goes into regular offensive funks due to the lack of multiple offensive creators on the perimeter.

Toronto vs Milwaukee

I have Toronto as the 2nd most talented team in the East after Cleveland after the additions of Ibaka and PJ Tucker. I love their roster and how the pieces fit together.

I love parts of the Milwaukee team. Brogdon, Giannis, Middleton. Their best bet to win will be through their wing defense on DeRozan. If they can slow DeRozan down - like Paul George did last year - the Bucks can make this a 7 game series and have a real shot at winning.

I am kind of unhappy the Raps got Milwaukee because this is the toughest series they could have gotten. Could go either way. I'll go Toronto in 7.

Utah have underachieved all year long and I expect them to continue to do so in the playoffs. They just haven't found the right balance between their players. Don't maximize their talent. I am not optimistic about their chances. I'd like to see them change their coach in the off-season.

The Clippers should win in 6 if they are healthy.

I couldn't disagree more about your assessment of Utah.

Utah has over-achieved, if anything, when you factor in how many games they have lost to injury this season. George Hill, Derrick Favors, and Rodney Hood have all missed 20+ games, that's 3/5 of their preferred starting lineup. The fact they have been able to keep winning games despite this is a testament to their depth of talent, particularly on the wings, and the solid coaching of Quinn Snyder.

I actually think Snyder has done a fantastic job this year getting the most out of guys like Joe Johnson, who has performed quite admirably as a small ball 4, and Joe Ingles.

Utah have underachieved all year long and I expect them to continue to do so in the playoffs. They just haven't found the right balance between their players. Don't maximize their talent. I am not optimistic about their chances. I'd like to see them change their coach in the off-season.

The Clippers should win in 6 if they are healthy.

I couldn't disagree more about your assessment of Utah.

Utah has over-achieved, if anything, when you factor in how many games they have lost to injury this season. George Hill, Derrick Favors, and Rodney Hood have all missed 20+ games, that's 3/5 of their preferred starting lineup. The fact they have been able to keep winning games despite this is a testament to their depth of talent, particularly on the wings, and the solid coaching of Quinn Snyder.

I actually think Snyder has done a fantastic job this year getting the most out of guys like Joe Johnson, who has performed quite admirably as a small ball 4, and Joe Ingles.

If Hill is in fact now healthy, I expect Utah to pull off the upset.

Yes, I agree with a lot of that.

I think Snyder has done a good job of keeping the team playing well through various injuries.

What I do not like is when they are healthy. I don't think Snyder has developed the team -- a mentality, a style of play, an understanding of how they win and what their roles are in how they achieve that.

I do not like how this team plays together when they are healthy.

I am impressed by what they did through those injuries. I think their team often looks more comfortable (in their roles) when someone is missing. When Favors is out of the mix. More space to operate. When one of the perimeter players is out, easier to distribute touches and shot attempts amongst Hill / Hood / Hayward.

I think Snyder has done a good job to bring the team this far but now they need a new voice to take them to the next level.

Good Lord, this Pacers D is atrocious, and the Cavs D isn't much better. Still just seems like the Cavs are covering up their defensive deficiencies with their good offense, but I don't think that they can get past Toronto like that.